No. XXV Squadron RAF
| No. XXV Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
  |
|
| Active | 25 September 1915 |
| Role | Air defence |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Leeming |
| Motto | "Feriens tego" (Striking I defend) |
| Equipment | Panavia Tornado F3. |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
A hawk rising on a gauntlet |
No. 25 Squadron of the Royal Air Force currently operates the Panavia Tornado F3, from RAF Leeming. It is due to disband by April 2008.
History
25 Sqn was formed in September 1915. The squadron moved to RAF Northolt, and in WWII flew Blenheims on night patrols. By the closing stages of the war the squadron was almost entirely committed to bomber escort missions. The squadron re-equipped with Meteors in 1954. The Sqn disbanded in June 1958, on July 1 1958 No. 153 Squadron was renumbered as No. 25 Sqn and continued to fly Meteors until their replacement in 1959 by Javelin.
No. 25 squadron disbanded again in 1962, reforming a year later as the RAF's first Bloodhound Surface-to-air missile unit. In this role the squadron moved to RAF Bruggen in 1970, with detachments also protecing RAF Laarbruch and RAF Wildenrath. In 1983 the squadron moved to RAF Wyton, similarly protecting RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Wattisham.
Current role
The RAF withdrew the Bloodhound in 1989 and on August 1 the squadron reformed at Leeming in its present role. Its current role is Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) for Mid and South England and Wales operating from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The squadron is due to disband in April 2008 providing that the Typhoon will be capable of taking over the role of QRA.
RAF Tornado squadrons
F3
- No. 25 Squadron - RAF Leeming
- No. 43 Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 56 (Reserve) Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 111 Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 1435 Flight - RAF Mount Pleasant
GR4
- No. 9 Squadron - RAF Marham
- No. 12 Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
- No. 14 Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
- No. XV (Reserve) Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
- No. 31 Squadron - RAF Marham
- No. 617 Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
GR4A
- No. II Squadron - RAF Marham
- No. 13 Squadron - RAF Marham
See also
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
